Now it's too loud: Rail budget blows out again

The cost of Sydney's multi-billion-dollar Epping-to-Chatswood rail line will blow out further after tests found it would be too noisy for commuters.

The line's opening has already been postponed several times due to problems, including the realisation the tunnel under the Lane Cove River was too steep for the network's newer, quieter Tangara trains.

The line was originally due to run from Parramatta to Chatswood and open in 2006 at a cost of $1.4 billion, but it was cut in half in 2003 and costs have since soared to $2.3 billion.

Reports today say testing of the underground line has found noise levels in the trains reach 90 decibels, which is as loud as a 737 jet coming in to land.

New South Wales Transport Minister David Campbell says he has been advised passengers' hearing will not be damaged.

Mr Campbell says he has also been told that fixing the noise problem will not delay the opening of the line any further.

"These are the issues now," he said. "Let's confront them so that we can ensure this railway is opened for the benefit of passengers."

He has asked for a detailed report on the extent of the problem.

RailCorp has refused to release the results of the noise tests. Its chief executive, Rob Mason, says a plan to fix the problem is in the works but there will be a cost.

"We're aiming with both rail grinding and acoustic pads to run the same sort of noise that we have in the eastern suburbs railway," he said.

"That's our benchmark. Clearly that's what's acceptable...

"We'll be talking to the Government about how we can do it and when we can do it prior to the integrated timetable."

Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell says the public is owed an explanation.

"It's too late, too costly, too steep, too noisy and the message to commuters from the Rees Government is 'too bad'," he said.

The full service will not open until mid-next year but shuttle services are due to begin in February.